A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

as the refuse of wheat that is spoken of, Amos 8.6. so when ye sell a thing for better then it is, or in buying, vvill needs make a thing worse then it is, or pay the price in base money you are guilty of theft: 3. When the measure or weight is scarce, and not so much as it should be; see Amos 8.5. 4. In the manner, when the buyer dispraiseth any thing below, and the seller commendeth it beyond and above its worth, Prov. 20.14. It is naught saith the buyer, &c. which although in some degree it be inevitable, yet no doubt, when on either hand it is wittingly and designedly done, it is a fault. 9. It may be committed in the matter of just debts; As, 1. when nothing is payed; 2. when a part is only payed; 3. when payment is made out of time, which prejudiceth them we owe to, as much as if we kept a part back; 4. when means are used to get what we owe diminished; 1. by dwanging and constraining a man to quit some part of it; 2. by dealing indirectly to get something down of the sum which we owe, 10. It is committed when advantage is taken of another's necessity, and so 1. when they are constrained to sell cheaper, then without loss they can; 2. when we sell dearer to our neighbour, because we see he must have it; 3. when one is forced to unreasonable terms, because he must have money; dealings of this nature are like to that, to sell the poor for a pair of shoes, which is reproved Micah 8.5, 6, 7. and is a gross theft. It is true, in some cases, as for instance, when others would not buy such things, and we need them not our selves, neither would buy them, were it not for our neighbours good, and if they be not so useful for us, an abatement in such a case may be lawfully sought. 11. It may be by Law-suits, even when L •w seemeth to side with folks, summum jus, being often, summa injuria; as 1. by putting folks needlessly to sue for their own, or by our seeking what is not ours; 2. by bearing through a business to the prejudice of another, upon a title of Law beyond Equity; the first is condemned 1 Cor. 6.1. &c. the second in Job 31.21. ⟨p. 406⟩